Derivatives - the "complex" controversial hedging instruments - have the power to enhance the value of the firm ... or compound financial loss. Corporate financial executives must be especially aware of the risks and rewards of derivative products in order to maximize the value of their organizations.

Managing Financial Risk provides an up-to-date, comprehensive look at how derivatives can be used to manage risk and maximize value within today's highly volatile financial environment.

The authors - all internationally recognized authorities on risk management issues - provide in-depth explanations of forwards, futures, swaps, options, and "exotic" derivatives, showing how to use these instruments to hedge a firm against unexpected market swings and movements in foreign exchange rates, interest rates, and commodity prices.

These explanations are further clarified through the book's helpful examples and illustrations, but most of all through contributions from industry experts. These include dealers from Chase Manhattan, Citibank, Credit Suisse Financial Products, and J.P. Morgan. End-user contributors include experts from Cuba-Geigy, Kodak, and McDonald's. Experts from FASB; Arthur Andersen; Cravath, Swaine & Moore; and Lord Day address accounting and tax issues.

Invaluable to every corporate financial professional, Managing Financial Risk explains how risk management can increase a firm's value; the variety of risk management products, including forwards, futures, swaps, options, and hybrid securities - as well as a practical approach to implementing these products in your firm; and the essentials of financial engineering, including how to build customized hedging instruments that accomplish your organization's specific risk management objectives.

As worldwide markets evolve, your company will face a varied continuum of financial risks. Managing Financial Risk provides a system for evaluating and hedging these risks and using derivatives to navigate through increasingly chaotic financial markets.